Check out this yummy DIY toy from our friends at PrettyFluffy.com!
The holidays are a time for cozy socks, cheerful decorations — and why not some homemade toys for your furry friend too? The “Holiday Doggy Donut” is a charming, easy-to-make toy that recycles ordinary socks — a quick craft that’s joyful, budget-friendly, and sure to delight any dog.
Whether you’re looking for a cute stocking-stuffer for your own dog or a thoughtful pet-parent gift, this simple DIY brings holiday spirit into playtime.
What You’ll Need:
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2 pairs of holiday-themed socks (festive patterns or colors work great)
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Optional: 2 pairs of plain/thick socks — only needed if your holiday socks are thin and you want more bulk for the donut.
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Needle & thread (optional) — to secure the final toy if you want it to hold together more firmly.
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Scissors — to cut the toes off the socks.
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Ribbon and gift-tag (optional) — nice for gifting or presentation.
This simple setup can make about four donut toys — or fewer if you prefer larger toys or want them to be thicker.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Cut the socks — take all 8 socks (the 2 holiday and 2 plain pairs) and cut off the toe/tip so each sock is open on both ends.
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Form the “donut” base — if using plain socks for bulk: roll a plain sock in on itself (like a “sock bun”) until you get a tight donut-shaped roll. If the holiday socks are thick enough, you can skip the plain sock.
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Cover with holiday sock — slide the open end of a holiday sock over the rolled “donut,” then roll or pull the holiday sock over the donut until it’s fully encased. That gives you a festive, cushioned donut-looking toy.
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Secure the end (optional but recommended) — use needle and thread to stitch the hem/edge so the sock won’t unroll during play. If your dog isn’t a rough chewer, you might skip this step.
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Add finishing touches — tie a ribbon around the “donut” and add a gift tag if you like — makes the toy gift-ready or holiday-festive.
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Repeat — do the same with the remaining socks to make as many donuts as you want (up to ~4)
Why It’s Worth Making
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Simple & fast — no fancy tools or skills required, just scissors, socks, and maybe a needle/thread.
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Budget-friendly & sustainable — uses materials you likely already have (old socks!), so it’s cheap and eco-friendly.
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Holiday cheer + playtime — the festive socks give a fun Christmas vibe, and your pup gets a new toy to enjoy.
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Perfect for gifting — wrap them up with ribbon and a tag, and they make adorable, thoughtful gifts for other dog-lovers or shelters.
Quick Safety & Use Tips
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Make sure the donut is appropriately sized — too small and it could be a choking hazard, too loose and your pup might pull it apart.
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Supervise playtime, especially early on — homemade toys don’t go through durability testing. If threads or fabric start loosening, retire or repair the toy.
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For aggressive chewers, consider skipping thin socks — use thicker or reinforced socks/fabrics so the donut holds up better.
